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November 5, 2024

Research on Molecular Hydrogen and Gut, Skin, and Brain Health

Note: this is part 2 of a 3-part series exploring molecular hydrogen (molecular H₂)’s therapeutic effects on the human body. In part 1, we covered:

What molecular H₂ is
When its beneficial biological effects were first discovered
How molecular H₂ supports physiological function
Research linking molecular H₂ and healthy weight management, blood glucose maintenance, and lipid levels

So, if you haven’t checked that out yet, click here to catch up. But in the meantime, here’s what you can expect from this article:

Cliff notes on molecular H₂ (for the benefit of those who might not have the time to check out part 1 yet or those who need a quick refresher)

Molecular H₂’s role in promoting optimal gut, skin, and brain health

What is molecular hydrogen? (Very briefly)

Here are a few key points you must know:

What is it? It’s the lightest element in the earth’s atmosphere. Molecular H₂’s small size and low mass enable it to easily penetrate cell membranes and diffuse into various subcellular organelles, including the mitochondria, which produce most of the energy a cell needs to function. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, a highly selective membrane that prevents many macromolecules — including most antioxidants — from entering the brain.

What does it do? Molecular H₂ is an antioxidant in a league of its own. As mentioned, it can do what most antioxidants can’t: cross the blood-brain barrier. But beyond that, it’s also thought to only scavenge “bad” reactive oxygen species (ROS); it doesn’t react with the “good” ones that support normal physiological functions. This means it could support the optimal functioning of your body’s natural antioxidant defense mechanism.

Is it safe? Yes, it’s safe. Across the many human clinical trials, all have supported the safety of molecular H₂ administration by drinking hydrogen-rich water, inhaling H₂ gas at different levels, injecting H₂-rich saline, and other methods, such as topical application. In fact, to date, there have been 3,000+ scientific studies, including over 200 clinical trials, highlighting molecular H₂’s restorative effects in different human and animal models.

Molecular hydrogen and the gut, skin, and brain

The primary mechanism driving molecular H₂’s beneficial effects is its (selective) antioxidant capacity. So, below, we’ll explore:

How oxidative stress compromises gut, skin, and brain health

Some of the most notable studies documenting molecular H₂’s impact on each of those aspects

Gut health

How does oxidative stress affect gut health?

Research shows oxidative stress could affect gut health by:

Compromising the intestinal barrier, which contains gut microbes

Contributing to an imbalance between “good” and “bad” gut bacteria (FYI, a balanced gut microbiome is the backbone of good health)

Influencing mitochondrial activity, which is essential for optimal gut health

Molecular H₂ on gut health

Research	About	Result
2019 study	Juvenile female soccer players from Suzhou drank hydrogen-rich water daily for 2 months.	The researchers found that the consumption of hydrogen-rich water improved the diversity and abundance of the gut flora in the female soccer players.
2022 study	The researchers had rats drink hydrogen-rich water daily for 4 weeks.	Compared to the control group, the researchers found that there were significant changes in the structure of gut microbiota in the rats who consumed hydrogen-rich water.

Skin health

How does oxidative stress affect skin health?

Oxidative stress impacts skin health by:

Exacerbating skin dark spots and potentially leading to skin tone unevenness, skin roughness, and visibility of wrinkles

Affecting skin’s structure, strength, and elasticity

Influencing skin microbiota composition, which is associated with skin health, dermatological conditions, and skin aging

Molecular H₂ on skin health

Research	About	Result
2020 study	24 individuals drank hydrogen-rich water 3 times daily, and the researchers logged their responses to skin health every 3 months.	The study suggested that hydrogen-rich water could support optimal skin health.
2021 review	A summary of molecular hydrogen’s beneficial effect on various skin conditions.	Findings suggest that molecular hydrogen may promote skin health.

Brain health

How does oxidative stress affect brain health?

Research suggests that oxidative stress could impact brain health by affecting synaptic signaling, brain plasticity, blood-brain barrier permeability, and neuronal plaque.

Molecular H₂ on brain health

Research

About

Result

2020 review

A comprehensive review of molecular H₂’s benefits on the central nervous system.

The researchers concluded that molecular H₂ is a promising modality for supporting brain health.

2017 study

The researchers randomly assigned 50 participants to 2 groups:

Molecular hydrogen therapy
Control group

… daily for 2 weeks.

It was suggested that molecular hydrogen supported brain health.

Where can you learn more about molecular H₂?

Interested in learning more about the beneficial effects molecular H₂ has on the body?

Well, if you haven’t already, why not check out part 1 of this 3-part series? Then, you can move on to part 3 (Molecular hydrogen and energy), where we’ll explore how molecular H₂ promotes vitality plus supports optimal exercise performance and recovery.

And if you’re in the mood to learn more, why not look at:

Our comprehensive round-up on molecular hydrogen studies (so many studies to read!)

Our blog, where we’re constantly sharing new findings in this exciting, evolving field

The Molecular Hydrogen Institute (MHI)’s website (the MHI is a science-based non-profit that provides education on, advances research about, and promotes awareness of molecular hydrogen’s beneficial potential)

And for those wondering how you can get your hands on molecular hydrogen’s benefits, well, we’ve made it easy for you with our Nutrionic™ H₂ Energizer tablets, which have obtained the New Dietary Ingredient Status with the FDA. Drop them in water, and you’ll get up to 10 ppm of molecular hydrogen and 80 mg of freely available Mg²⁺ ions in a single cup.

No need to fiddle with explosive hydrogen gas tanks. No need to maintain expensive filters. And no need to worry about hydrogen-rich saline injections.

How good does that sound? *sip* Mmm.

Shop Nutrionic™ H₂ Energizer tablets here.